I Became the Genius Mage of the Martial Academy

Chapter 158

‘Just as in the original story.’

What was written in the ledger were illegal transactions with the Manjeon Merchant Guild. Among them, the transaction related to spiritual medicine was impressive, and it was clearly the demonic pill.

Because among the items that came out when I rummaged through Seo Hwi-myeong's bosom, there was also a demonic pill.

‘A merchant guild that communicates with the Demonic Cult.’

If the illegal transaction history of the Seohwi family with them was added to the Manjeon Merchant Guild's communication with the Demonic Cult, they could be blown away in one go.

‘First, I’ll secure the evidence.’

After wrapping the gold bars in a cloth with psychokinesis, I left the Seohwi family. And then I hid it in a nearby mountain.

Wiiiiing-

Just then, a ladybug lands on my shoulder.

‘It’s about time he came.’

By the time my thoughts reached that point, he had arrived.

“What’s going on?”

It was the King of Insects, Go Du-gyeong.

“I think something is about to happen.”

I handed over the bundle of ledgers that I had pulled out with psychokinesis.

Go Du-gyeong, who had examined the contents of the ledger and heard the explanation, narrowed his brow.

“The Demonic Cult?”

“Yes, so I’d like to take this opportunity to blow away the Manjeon Merchant Guild in one go, would that be alright?”

“You’re a big-picture guy. Alright, if that’s your will.”

I had stealthily shown him the bundle with the pile of bills, but he didn't seem to care at all.

It meant he was not a person who was swayed by mere money.

‘Come to think of it, even in the original story, his loyalty to his task was incredible.’

From my experience so far, he was trustworthy enough.

That's why I revealed one more plan I had in mind.

“Actually, I have another plan in mind.”

“A plan? What is it?”

“I’m going to swallow the Manjeon Merchant Guild.”

“What?”

I began to tell the story. A plan that was possible because he and the mountain keepers were there. As the explanation continued, Go Du-gyeong's expression changed.

“…This is more than just a big picture. And how on earth did you get such information?”

“Can you do it?”

“I’ll give it a try.”

Soon, Go Du-gyeong and the other mountain keepers disappeared, holding the bundles.

And I headed for the main house of the Seohwi family.

The beginning of the grand plan was to use the Seohwi family as bait to catch the Manjeon Merchant Guild.

***

Overnight, the Seohwi family became the underdog.

Because just two super-masters had intervened.

From the perspective of the Seohwi family, which had lost 70 martial artists, including their family head, it was bound to be a painful blow.

“To think so many are hostages…!”

“What an incredible achievement.”

Those gathered at the main house were amazed, looking at the number of hostages we had captured.

It was a reversal created by me and Baek Hasin.

“Master Baek Hasin, Master Zhuge Cheonwu, your meal is ready.”

Before I knew it, I could feel that the attitude of the family members towards Baek Hasin had changed.

It was understandable, as he had raised the family, which was on the verge of collapse, in an instant.

On the other hand, Baek Do-gyeong, who had headed north, had only been chased out without gaining a single stronghold. I heard that he had tried to gain merit recklessly and had ruined the formation instead.

The fact that the reinforcements had fought Baek Yu-hwan, who had struck the eastern stronghold, and then detoured to the north where he was, was also a cause of the defeat.

Naturally, he was bound to be compared to Baek Hasin.

In such a situation, the only means Baek Do-gyeong could take was to criticize him during the meal-cum-meeting.

“You attacked four strongholds? And even the main house of the Seohwi family?! Why did you do such a reckless thing?”

“Because it was worth it. I won too easily.”

The guy who was grinding his teeth at my words, as if it was nothing.

“Then you should have protected that area! No, you should have taken the main house of the Seohwi family bastards and protected it, why did you drag them all the way here?! Are you trying to show off?”

Although it was half true, it was also a necessary measure strategically. I sneered and refuted the guy's words.

“A conflict is not just a land grab. The top priority is to suppress the enemy’s forces and neutralize them for sure. In the end, if you suppress the soldiers, you will get the land on its own. Don’t you even know that?”

“You…!”

“Hey, he’s the acting family head! There’s a limit to how much you can ignore him!”

Then Baek Gu-jin intervened. Of course, I had no intention of stopping, so I raised my voice as if it was ridiculous.

“But the acting family head doesn’t even know the basics of war. Are you telling me to protect the main house of the Seohwi family and 50 hostages with just two people? There’s a limit to how much nonsense you can talk. If you’re a leader who takes responsibility for your words and actions.”

At the continued argument, Baek Do-gyeong also couldn't say any more and gritted his teeth.

‘It’s going smoothly. The gazes of the elders are starting to change.’

Right now, Baek Hasin's faction was about Baek Yu-hwan and the Baeksadae, and a few family elders who were supporting him secretly without showing it.

With this, as the martial artists and the family members began to switch to Baek Hasin one by one, the tide began to turn.

Of course, the powerful people who had supported the existing heir would not change easily, but if they couldn't correct their judgment even after experiencing a situation like this, that would be truly foolish.

Because an internal power struggle is only meaningful when you survive from the outside and the future of the family is guaranteed.

‘The enemies should be making a move soon.’

By now, they should have received our messenger that the family head had been captured.

On top of that, since the secret safe of the main house had also been robbed, they would surely come to retrieve it. With all their might.

Originally, at the point where the family head was captured, they should have admitted defeat and negotiated, but their situation now was not that simple.

“It’s an enemy attack!”

Just then, I heard the shout of a guard from outside.

‘They’re fast.’

I quickly moved and stood on the wall, and in the distance, about 80 martial artists of the Seohwi family were approaching.

Not only the main force of the Seohwi family, but also ronin who seemed to have been lent by the Manjeon Merchant Guild were with them.

A force nearly twice as large as the Baek family. The moment the family members, who remembered being attacked by the Seohwi family a few days ago, were agitated.

“Form a line! If we defend, we win!”

I heard Baek Hasin's shout.

The voice, imbued with the internal energy of a super-peak master, echoed firmly and resolutely.

“This will be the last battle! Fight with a do-or-die resolve!”

“Waaaaaah!”

Baek Yu-hwan also agreed and raised the morale.

But the enemies of the Seohwi family were still approaching.

In front of such enemies, Baek Hasin went out of the main gate alone.

“Master Baek Hasin?!”

The surprised family members. But Baek Hasin had already made up his mind and had drawn the Black Moon Sword.

“We have to chase him…!”

“It’s fine.”

I stopped the agitated martial artists nearby and let out a voice imbued with internal energy.

“Watch carefully. What an existence that supports a family is like.”

Simultaneously, Baek Hasin's black sword qi drove at the enemies. For just one person, the sword was too fast and mysterious, and the surrounded people just spewed blood and collapsed.

“Block him! The opponent is just one person!”

“W-we can’t approach!”

I could hear the enemies' screams from here.

A proficient super-peak level, a martial prowess worthy of a realm that was impossible to even confront at a decent level.

‘That many people, I could have swept them away, but here, I should let Baek Hasin be active.’

Except for one case, that is.

Beon-jjeok!

While approaching the battlefield, a Flame Lightning First Blade Spear was shot and aimed for a man's head.

Kaaaaaaang!

Even at a distance, it seemed he was a master who had reached the realm of a super-master, as he deflected it in one go.

‘Is he the super-peak master who had escaped from the main house of the Seohwi family back then?’

I drew the Demon-Slaying Sword, blocking the path of the middle-aged man who had been trying to rush at Baek Hasin until just now.

“It’s not right to interfere with the path of a young hero.”

“…It seems the Baek family has called in some absurd mercenaries.”

With those words, we clashed with each other. The opponent's martial art was a heavy sword.

Although I could win more easily if I used magic, I felt the need to train my swordsmanship, so I decided to face him with my sword.

Because it was difficult to find a real-life opponent of this skill level.

And to put such a restriction meant that it was worth a try.

Kaaaaaaang!

After a brief clash, I, who had stepped back, implemented the Heaven-Defying Heart Art and changed the path of my dantian. The blood points that began to transform much more nimbly after absorbing the Blood Danjeon.

Since it was not easy to suppress with the Zixia Divine Art, which was the subtlety of a swift sword, I was planning to respond with the Emperor Sword Form, which was the same heavy sword.

When I flew a Flame Lightning First Blade Spear at the guy who was trying to approach, aiming for that gap, he didn't approach, as if he was wary.

“To have this much martial prowess at that age… and even that peculiar technique. You’re that famous Great Mage.”

“So what?”

“Come to our side. We’ll grant you any condition.”

“Unfortunately, I can’t. Because you have a condition I can’t grant.”

And so, as I finished preparing to use the Emperor Sword Form, I heard a shout from behind.

“Let’s help Master Baek Hasin!!”

“Support the heir!”

The martial artists of the Baek family had joined in.

After Baek Hasin had defeated about 20 people, he was fighting another super-peak master of the enemy. The situation was completely in our favor.

“It seems our side is going to win.”

“Then we just have to defeat them!”

The opponent rushes in and thrusts his sword. A powerful qi that forms at the tip of the enemy's blade for a moment. I swung the Demon-Slaying Sword, facing it head-on.

Kaang!

The Demon-Slaying Sword heavily pressed down on the opponent's blade.

“What!? How can you have such power?”

As the sword path and the power contained in it suddenly changed completely, a cry of astonishment was heard.

The sword of the Emperor Sword Form was ultimately a martial art that dominated space. It would be strange if it couldn't produce this much power.

“What are you so surprised about? It’s just the beginning.”

The Demon-Slaying Sword soared and deflected the opponent. A fight between similar heavy swords. However, both in realm and in superior martial art, this side was superior.

The sword path of the Emperor Sword Form crushes the opponent's trajectory and strikes down.

The moment the sword blade reached the neck of the opponent, who was hastily blocking it.

“The match is decided.”

After hitting the opponent's back of the head with a spear of flame lightning, I immediately approached the opponent and struck his chin with the sword hilt.

The opponent who staggers as his protective qi breaks from the shock.

“H-how…”

“It was a bit tricky to defeat you without cutting you. Be grateful that I was considerate.”

After a short question and answer, I shot a thunderbolt.

After suppressing the blood points of the man who had fallen, burned black, I looked around.

Before I knew it, the open space was controlled by the martial artists of the Baek family, and the only beings moving beyond it were the fleeing remnants.

Since most of them were just mercenaries hired by the Manjeon Merchant Guild, there would be no reason to risk their lives.

Finally, Baek Hasin, who had defeated the last remaining enemy, shouted.

“The Baek family has won!! The winner of the conflict with the Seohwi family is us!”

“Waaaaaah!”

Although the atmosphere had suddenly become one where Baek Hasin was leading the family, no one could point it out. Because Baek Hasin's contribution was that overwhelming.

And so, we suppressed the blood points of the fallen enemies and brought them to the family. About 100 enemies.

Now, the opponent had no strength left to attack.

After that, the procedure was smooth. The Seohwi family, which had lost its main force and had its family head captured, could no longer hold out and declared surrender.

The conflict ended with the two families signing an agreement in front of the notaries from Huashan, Zhongnan, and the Martial Alliance, who had come after hearing the news.

The Baek family secured a huge amount of compensation, more territory, and various advantages, while the Seohwi family incurred a debt that was on the verge of collapse.

Under the agreement signed in the courtyard of the Baek family, the fates of the two families were completely reversed.

And on the other hand, I, who had stepped back from this series of events, was staring at one of the guys who was being called out as a hostage.

- Is that the one?

- Yes.

While exchanging telepathic messages with Go Du-gyeong, who had confirmed the target.

Right now, I was trying to fish for a person.

The fun of fishing is simple. You throw the bait and pull when it bites.

But sometimes, even when the fish bites the bait, you don't pull and just leave it.

That's when you use the caught fish as bait to attract a bigger fish.

The current situation was like that.

Among the guys who had been taken hostage during the previous conflict, there was one who was particularly heterogeneous.

A strange sensation felt when suppressing his blood points. It was a clear sign that he was hiding his skills.

‘There’s only one existence that would hide its strength during a war.’

A spy.

- If you track that guy, you’ll find the main camp of the Manjeon Merchant Guild.

- Understood.

With the answer, Go Du-gyeong's presence disappeared.

This incident was a matter that could determine the existence of the Manjeon Merchant Guild. The reporting of information also had to be done directly to the top leadership.

And the King of Insects, Go Du-gyeong, was one of the best in the Central Plains when it came to this kind of tracking.

All that was left was to just wait. Until the fish that had taken the bait led to a bigger fish.

(End of Chapter)